pensum

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈpẽː.sũː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈpɛn.sum]^[1]

Forms

pēnsum n (genitive pēnsī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is the neuter of ⟨pēnsus⟩, perfect participle of pendō “to weigh”, used as a noun, the weight of wool weighed out.^[2][1][3][4] De Vaan traces ⟨pendō⟩ to Proto-Indo-European *(s)pend- (“to spin”).^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of a task.^[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[6]

Semantic evolution

It was the weight of wool given out to a slave to spin or weave in a day, as in Virgil's carpentēs pēnsa puellae “girls carding their wool”, and generally an allotted task, a stint, as in Plautus.^[2][3] Isidore derives it from pendere “to weigh”.^[7]

In Medieval Latin it was a weight; a tax; a rent; and money.^[8] British Medieval Latin used it for wool for spinning, spinning, and thread.^[9] Medieval Latin pēnsum “a weight” gave Spanish and Italian peso, and so English peso (1550s).^[4][10]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a task.^[2][6]
• 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of wool for spinning.^[2][6]
• 1550s – English peso is recorded.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. A day's weight of wool to be spun.^[2][3]
2. An allotted task, stint.^[2]
3. (Medieval Latin) A weight; a tax, rent.^[8]

Related words

• pēnsō
• pendō
• pondus
• English peso

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
6. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
7. ^ Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
8. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
9. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
10. ^ Buchi, Éva; Schweickard, Wolfgang, eds. (2008–), Dictionnaire Étymologique Roman (DÉRom), Nancy: ATILF, http://www.atilf.fr/DERom